Tag: unemployment

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LOADING UP ON GASOLINE

When I went to fill my  gas tank on Tuesday,  it was hard to find an empty space. Everyone was loading up on gasoline. Finally, I pulled up behind a couple  with a  big old SUV.  They looked to be in their sixties.  On the ground next to their vehicle,  I saw several large red and yellow containers.  Lucky I wasn’t waiting for them to leave, because they were purchasing  what looked like about 30 gallons of gas—some diesel, some regular.   I had never seen anyone buying that much gasoline before, and it got me thinking about the effect of escalating gas prices. 

Loading up on gasoline. It's a sign of the times, and will lead to inflation.
Everyone was loading up on gasoline this week.  Higher gas prices will lead to inflation.

On Monday, my husband filled up on gas in his SUV. The price was $1.41 per gallon.   On Tuesday, I did the same in my old sedan, but now, the gas cost $1.61. .  By Wednesday, it had shot up to $1.75.  That’s a pretty steep increase.  The couple ahead of me at the gas station have lived through high priced gas.  Maybe they use a tractor or mower for a small business like lawn service. . They know that their income will go down when gas prices increase.  No wonder they’re loading up on gasoline.

Obviously, at my age, I’ve lived through many periods of high priced gas.  When I was a hospital food service manager, the purchasing agents dreaded high gasoline prices, because they knew that the price of plastic reusables was  going to skyrocket.  That’s because plastics are derived from byproducts of petroleum refining and natural gas processing. Therefore, when oil prices escalate the cost of single use plastic products like syringes and gloves increase.  And so, the cost of health care goes up .   But that’s just the beginning.  The cost of transporting food and other necessities by truck or train increases.  And suddenly, you have inflation.

Economists think a little bit of inflation is good for the economy because people can more easily  pay off old debts. But if inflation gets out of hand, consumers  start pulling in their belts and spend less on “wants” like vacations and new cars. . Less  consumer demand leads to higher unemployment.

Escalating gas prices are scary. .  No wonder that ordinary people were loading up on gas  last Tuesday.

 

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BLESSING BOX FULL OF BEANS

Blessing boxes are springing up all over the country, and are certainly a blessing for the homeless and other impoverished Americans.  When you see men and women trying on clothing in the street next to a box, you know that there are many people who lack the basics.  We have several boxes in our city, but I just saw my first one up close, in the local mall.  However, its contents were disappointing, because that Blessing Box was full of beans.

The last time I walked in the mall was late March, before the pandemic began to spiral out of control. But since then,  they’ve lost a major retailer. The hallways are practically deserted, especially at the far end, next to the depressingly empty store.   Therefore, it seems like a relatively safe place to walk on the cold windy days ahead.   All the walkers you see are wearing masks, and they keep their distance.  Many are elderly.  Anyway, sometime over the summer or fall, they’ve added a Blessing Box.

The problem could be that few people are aware that the mall has a box.  But for those who do, they seem to think that black beans, especially, would be a good filler.  Now, I’m all for black beans.  They’re a great source of protein.  They’re especially appealing to vegans and Hispanics.  But if 80% of the offerings are either red beans or black beans,   it seems rather bleak. I’m envisioning some hungry little kids staring at a bowl of black beans.   Most ordinary Hoosier’s aren’t too fond of them.

Blessing box full of beans doesn't offer much. Try adding some canned meat.
Try to add some variety. Don’t just leave a blessing box full of beans.

There are many items that are good for food banks. Today, I ‘m going to stock up on some canned meat, tuna,  and peanut butter. Maybe some evaporated milk.   I’ll bring in a small bag, and add to the collections a few cans at a time.  Maybe that will inspire others to do the same.   If an un needy person takes the good stuff, that’s their moral issue,  not mine.

Blessing boxes were started a few years ago, in the low country.  While they’re a great idea, it’s sad to think there are so many people who rely on them for food and clothing.  But let’s  leave some good stuff in the boxes, not assume that needy people.  have no taste for anything but beans.

 

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MAXING OUT AT THE DOLLAR STORE

Dollar Stores are everywhere—out in the country, and all over town. During this pandemic  they’ve become a good place to shop for basics while getting in and out quickly.  Some are classier than others, although none of them really fit that description.  I’m most apt to stop at the one near the public library on my way home. Compared to other Dollar Stores,  It’s pretty much down to the nitty gritty.   Because of  shoplifting,  many products are either locked up or in short supply.  They have a steady stream of customers in this low income neighborhood.  Yesterday, I noticed more people maxing out at the Dollar Store.

It didn’t seem very crowded at first.  But after I’d picked up my vitamins, I noticed the checkout line was backed up, and moving slower than usual.  The bottle neck was a woman  who couldn’t seem to get her credit card to work.  She made several attempts to key in various numbers, with no luck. The clerk was kindly, trying to help.  I contemplated offering to pay her bill, until I noticed her cart was filled with soda pop and salty snacks.  The dietitian in me just couldn’t deal with that.  If you’re almost broke, shouldn’t you buy something healthy?  Not for me to judge. She finally found a card that worked, so that ended my moral dilemma.

It’s not unusual to see someone on the edge at that Dollar Store.  But it didn’t used to happen very often.  However, the next person in line had a similar problem.  Since her credit card seemed to be maxed out, her companion pulled some coins and  a few wrinkled bills  from his pocket, and they made it through.  I looked at the customers lined up behind me.  They seemed tired and worried.  One woman took some items from her cart and put them back on the shelf. The parking lot was full of dented cars and rusty trucks.

Maxing Out at the Dollar Store is a sign of the times.
More folks are maxing out at the Dollar Store, which is a bad sign for the economy.

As I drove out of the parking lot, I felt something  coming on;  restless as a hurricane.  Is this  a portent of things to come?   I would guess that many of the customers in that store are unskilled folks who work in restaurants or other places where  more educated  people don’t want to work..  Because of the covid’19 pandemic,  their  low paying jobs have dried up.  They went through their unemployment pay and stimulus money in July.  What will happen next?  Are we headed for a deeper recession?

When people are maxing out at the dollar store, you have to worry.